Meaning & Origins

Transferred use of the surname, which in turn probably derives from the Old English personal name Dēorwine, composed of the elements dēor ‘dear, beloved’ + wine ‘friend’. Use as a given name seems to have originated in honour of Charles Darwin (1809–82), founder of the theory of evolution.

Scottish and northern English (Northumberland and Durham): probably from Middle English purveys ‘provisions’, ‘supplies’ (from Middle English purvey(en), Old French porveoir ‘to provide, supply’), hence a metonymic occupational name for an official responsible for obtaining supplies for a monastery or manor house.